Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Okhna owns land at site of illegal Koh Kong mangrove filling, contract shows

Okhna owns land at site of illegal Koh Kong mangrove filling, contract shows

Mangrove saplings poke up from sand that an oknha is accused of pumping into a section of protected mangrove forest in Koh Kong province
Mangrove saplings poke up from sand that an oknha is accused of pumping into a section of protected mangrove forest in Koh Kong province. Photo Supplied

Okhna owns land at site of illegal Koh Kong mangrove filling, contract shows

A section of protected mangrove forest in Koh Kong that in December was discovered to have been filled with sand was illegally sold to tycoon Chea Leanghong in 2017, documents show, with local authorities having signed off on the deal.

In March 2017, Sok Kimhong and his wife, Siv Chou, sold the 13 hectares of land inside Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary to Leanghong, according to a copy of the sale contract obtained by The Post. Leanghong is the chairman of the development and real estate company KH Niron Investment.

The sale was approved by former Stung Veng Village Chief Chhung Thavon and former Stung Veng Commune Chief Khung Vichhean, the document shows.

Koh Kong provincial officials earlier this week said a committee was investigating the illegal filling-in of the flooded mangrove forest, but claimed they still did not know who was behind the crime. Authorities first inspected the location in December, where they also found an illegal sand-dredging operation filling in the area.

Koh Kong Deputy Governor Sok Sothy, who earlier this week dismissed allegations that Leanghong was behind the scheme as just “rumours”, yesterday declined to comment.

Thavon, the former village chief, acknowledged that he signed off on the sale contract between Kimhong, Chou and Leanghong, but claimed he was unaware it was a protected area, and contended it had previously been sold.
“I did not know that it involved a [protected] community area,” he said. “If I knew, I would not dare to [sign] it.”

The two filled-in hectares are part of a more than 1,000-hectare “community zone” inside the sanctuary, where families can still live and cultivate the land. The community area was established inside the sanctuary by a 2009 sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Leanghong’s wife, Louk Sovanna, initially denied yesterday that she and her husband had bought the land.

She claimed that a few years ago a man had approached them to see if they wanted to purchase it but that “everything was under the table”, and they decided not to do so.

“For now, I can say my husband and me didn’t buy any land that is illegal, and if you have the proof, please tell us,” she said.

The Post wasn’t immediately able to supply the contract bearing her husband’s name and thumbprint, but did describe the contents in detail to her. Asked if she still denied her husband’s involvement in the sale, she replied: “I’m not denying anything because I didn’t see the document yet.”

In June 2016, Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a directive to annul titles to 300 hectares of filled-in mangrove forest across four provinces. He then chided authorities for a lack of progress in enforcing the order last August, saying: “It ends here.”

“Although there was a directive and a direct order from Hun Sen, the implementation from local authorities is not effective as there are still land grabs in the coastal areas, such as the flooded mangrove forest,” said Sok Sokhom, director of the Cambodia National Research Organization.

“Provincial authorities pay attention to implement the order, but it is not effective because the individual clearing the coastal land is backed by powerful people.”

Nheab Sam Oeun, provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc, said only a buyer with powerful interests behind them would be able to get land inside the protected community area.

“The selling and buying of the land is completely violating the law because it is a state-owned land,” he said.

Seng Sokheng, with the Community Peace Building Network, said the illegal pumping of the mangroves with sand had gone “without intervention from authorities”.

“Until now, [we] didn’t see the Koh Kong Provincial Environment Department or [the Ministry of Environment] take action,” he said.

“We think that this is the government’s failing to manage natural resources and shows corruption and impunity, especially the weakness of law enforcement.”

Alex Gonzalez-Davidson, co-founder of NGO Mother Nature, said while the government may want to protect what is left of the country’s natural heritage, they’re unable to do so because of a “tiny mafia-like elite made up of government officials and businessmen”.

Government officials who want to protect the natural resources, are “simply too scared of doing anything that might economically affect those in power”.

Updated: 11:58am Thursday 22 February 2018

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.